Hi Veronica

I'm not sure about the hair loss but understand why that will be affecting you.

However I'm a bit confused by the CH medication you're taking. Propranolol is a good preventive for migraines (I use it for that purpose) but it has limited benefit for CH, especially compared to much better preventives, like verapamil, lithium and topomax.

Using NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflamatory Drugs) and solpadol (codeine / paracetamol) will have very limited impact against the pain of a CH. Pain killers in general just don't touch CH pain, even when you use the strongest narcotics. Oxygen is a much better way to kill off CHs plus also make sure you've some Imitrex / Imigran / Sumatriptan injections too.

Given the medication you're on it is possible that you're working with a doctor who isn't experienced with working with CH as the medications are more migraine focussed. I'd strongly suggest you find a headache specialist with CH skills / experience so that you can get onto medication that will work much, much better.

Also have you looked at the OUCH UK website - Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or They even have a helpline so they can guide you through how the NHS works.

Is the hair loss all over your head or localized. I mean obviously if it were, say, over your right eye on your hair-line it could easily be explained. I rub and knuckle and poke at my head during an attack. But seriously localization (or the lack) can help determine the cause. Medication based or stress hair loss would most likely not be localized. Stress pulling in your sleep or repetitive rubbing against the nightstand or pillow due to stress would be localized in one or more spots.